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The end of December, for many people, is a time for family and holiday cheer. It’s no different for people Capitolwhich is currently a ghost town after lawmakers returned home to their various districts to celebrate their favorite end-of-year traditions.
For some, like Reps. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., and Byron Donalds, R-Mo., that means annual Christmas traditions with loved ones.
“So Christmas Eve is Spanish bean soup and Cuban sandwiches,” Donalds told Fox News Digital. “And on Christmas Day we’re just hanging out, and Christmas Eve will be basketball, football and maybe a bonfire.”
Burlison described a “special” Christmas scavenger hunt her mother organizes for her grandchildren to find in their stockings.
The 2025 Capitol Christmas tree is seen on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, December 7, 2025. .
“And then we do Christmas bingo for our White Elephant gifts, and it gets pretty competitive,” smiles Burlison. “One of the funny things that happens every year is my brother, no matter what house we live in, steals something from the house and then throws it away as a gift.”
“Eventually you’ll open it and you’ll be like, ‘Oh, we have a vase like this. Oh, wait, that’s our vase!’ It’s so funny. He does it all the time.”
Leader of the parliamentary majority Steve ScaliseR-La., told Fox News Digital that his favorite Christmas tradition is opening presents with his children and eating Cajun fried turkey.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise during a press conference at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, Wednesday, November 5, 2025. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Henry Cuellar, Democrat of Texas, said he always keeps his faith close to Christmas.
“Holidays always begin with participation Christmas mass and thank God for the miracle of Christ’s birth,” Cuellar told Fox News Digital. “From there, it’s about being at home as a family – coming together around the table, sharing home-cooked meals and keeping the traditions that bring everyone together.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., enjoys sharing the holiday season with her family of friends and neighbors.
“THE CHRISTMAS LAWYER” WHO WENT TO WAR WITH HOA SPENDS A BUNDLE ON VACATION
Rep. Henry Cuellar, Democrat of Texas, is seen at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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This includes baking and sharing Christmas cookies with those same people, as well as “a holiday dinner with my college roommates and a holiday dinner with my poker group.”
And Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said Hanukkah and the rest of the holiday season are also about those close to him.
“The holidays are a special time for me to celebrate with my family – whether it’s lighting the menorah with my kids, donating toys at local toy drives, or joining our community in lighting trees and the menorah,” Gottheimer said.
